Convenience: program can be completed in three or four semesters and only a few face-to-face
sessions, and

Cost-effective.

The University of West Georgia has three programs for K-12 educational leadership.
The newest program is called a Tier 1 Certification, which is a master's degree level certification recently made available by the Georgia
Professional Standards Commission. This program leads to a new certification that's
clear and renewable. This program begins in summer of 2016 and is completely online.
The Tier One level is considered entry-level that prepares candidates for P-12 school
level positions below the principal and for district level positions that do not supervise
principals. While we are approved to offer a master's degree, our intention is to
offer only the certificate option. Candidates must complete a master's degree in another
content area and then add the Tier 1 Leadership Certification. Tier 1 is an initial
certification program designed for classroom teachers and candidates in leadership
roles.

The second leadership program at West Georgia is a Performance-Based Leadership Educational Specialist Degree (Ed. S) and a Certification-Only
Program. Both programs lead to Georgia leadership certification. The current Performance-Based
Leadership programs will be offered until spring of 2017. This program is considered
advanced and is reserved for candidates in a leadership position. The Georgia Professional
Standards Commission has developed a rule and process for a new Tier 2 Certification
that will begin in the summer of 2017 and it will replace the current Performance-Based
Programs. Candidates admitted to the current program who begin the program by spring
of 2017 will be allowed reasonable time to finish their degrees and certification
under the old program and rule. Admission beginning in summer of 2017 will be for
the new Tier 2 Certificate.

Educational Specialist

The current Georgia Leadership Rule reserves the performance-based programs (PL Certification
Only and Educational Specialist) as advanced level preparation for leaders in leadership
positions as defined by the Ga PSC. The Georgia Leadership Rule requires candidates
have the time and opportunity to lead authentic and genuine school improvement initiatives
in a residency experience. An important criterion regarding which program is most
appropriate is determined by how much time you are teaching students and whether you
are in a leadership position as defined by the Ga PSC. If a majority of your time
is assigned to teaching students, you cannot be considered for the advanced level
(performance-based) program. The only way we can consider your admission to the PL
Certification Only or Educational Specialist programs is if your principal/supervisor
requests (in writing) special consideration due to a desire to place you into a leadership
position and agrees to provide release time from your other responsibilities to meet
the residency requirements.

The Tier 1 program is available for candidates who are currently serving in a leadership
role or as a classroom teacher.

Candidates in leadership positions or approved leadership roles who have completed
a Graduate degree in Leadership (or hold a clear renewable GA L-5 certificate) may
begin their program of study upon admission.

Candidates who have not completed a Graduate degree in Leadership must complete the
Leadership Pre-Service requirements.

Admission requirements include the following:

A Masters degree from a nationally or regionally accredited institution

Be employed in a leadership position in a local education agency (LEA) OR be employed
in a leadership role approved by the LEA for participation in a Leadership Certification
program

Be recommended by the Superintendent or designee based on local district requirements

3.0 or better cumulative GPA on graduate work

Georgia PSC Ethics Test 370

Application requirements:

Completed application for admissionNon-refundable $40.00 application fee One official transcript from each college or university attended Signed System Approval Form signed both by your immediate supervisor (must be the
principal for applicants working at a school) AND the superintendent or his/her designee

PL Certification Only

PL Certification Only

The current Georgia Leadership Rule reserves the performance-based programs (PL Certification
Only and Educational Specialist) as advanced level preparation for leaders in leadership
positions as defined by the Ga PSC. The Georgia Leadership Rule requires candidates
have the time and opportunity to lead authentic and genuine school improvement initiatives
in a residency experience. An important criterion regarding which program is most
appropriate is determined by how much time you are teaching students and whether you
are in a leadership position as defined by the Ga PSC. If a majority of your time
is assigned to teaching students, you cannot be considered for the advanced level
(performance-based) program. The only way we can consider your admission to the PL
Certification Only or Educational Specialist programs is if your principal/supervisor
requests (in writing) special consideration due to a desire to place you into a leadership
position and agrees to provide release time from your other responsibilities to meet
the residency requirements.

The Tier 1 program is available for candidates who are currently serving in a leadership
role or as a classroom teacher.

Candidates in leadership positions or approved leadership roles who have completed
a Graduate degree in Leadership (or hold a clear renewable GA L-6 certificate) may
begin their program of study upon admission.

Candidates who have not completed a Graduate degree in Leadership must complete the
Leadership Pre-Service requirements.

Admission requirements include the following:

A Specialist degree or higher from a nationally or regionally accredited institution

Be employed in a leadership position in a local education agency (LEA) OR be employed
in a leadership role approved by the LEA for participation in a Leadership Certification
program

Be recommended by the Superintendent or designee based on local district requirements

3.0 or better cumulative GPA on graduate work

Georgia PSC Ethics Test 370

Application requirements:

Completed application for admissionNon-refundable $40.00 application fee One official transcript from each college or university attended Signed System Approval Form signed both by your immediate supervisor (must be the
principal for applicants working at a school) AND the superintendent or his/her designee

Tier One Certification Only

Tier One Certification Only

This is a certification-only program that may be added to an existing master's degree
(or specialist and doctoral degree). The Tier 1 Certification is considered entry-level
that prepares candidates for P-12 school-level positions below the principal and for
district-level positions that do not supervise principals. In part, the program consists
of several key assessments that are clinically-based and will allow candidates to
synthesize and apply knowledge while practicing and developing leadership skills identified
by leadership standards.

While we are approved to offer a master's degree leading to Tier 1 Certification,
our intention at this time is to offer only the certification. Candidates will need
to complete a master's degree in another content area before adding the Tier 1 Certification.

Program Sheets

Partnerships

The University of West Georgia has formed partnerships with some organizations and
is in the process of finalizing partnerships with others. Partnerships are required
only for Performance-Based Certification Programs, not for Tier One Certification Only
Program.

After a partnership is developed and signed by the university and organization, an
Ed.S. cohort may be formed if the institution wants it and the University of West
Georgia has the capacity to offer a cohort at that time. The fact that a partnership
exists does not mean that an Ed.S. cohort currently exists.

Current EDLE Partnerships with Georgia Schools

Atlanta Public

Charter Schools USA

Clayton County

Cobb County

Dalton City

DeKalb County

Devereux Georgia School

Douglas County

Eagles Landing Christian Academy

Edison Learning, Inc.

Fannin County

Fulton County

Gilmer County

Griffin RESA (Butts County, Fayette County, Henry County, Lamar County, Newton County,
Pike County, Spalding County, Upson County)

Gwinnett County

Heritage School

Imagine Georgia Charter Schools

Jeff Davis County

Landmark Christian School

Middle Georgia RESA (Bibb County, Crawford County, Houston County, Jones County, Monroe
County, Twiggs County)

Pioneer RESA (Banks County, Dawson County, Franklin County, Gainesville City, Habersham
County, Hall County, Hart County, Lumpkin County, Mountain Education Charter High
School, Rabun County, Stephens County, Towns County, Union County, White County)

Rockdale County

Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta

Union County

Wayne County

West Georgia RESA (Carroll County, Carrollton City, Coweta County, Harris County,
Heard County, Meriwether County, Troup County)